Breakaway Adventures: Disc Golf Has Roots in WNY
Breakaway Adventures: Disc Golf Has Roots in WNY
Learn About The History and Art of Disc Golf
Photos Provided by Ben Campbell
Most people have already heard of disc golf since it’s been around for over half a century. People also probably know that disc golf evolved from the tossing of a frisbee, created by a company called Wham-O back in 1966.
What most people don’t know is that in 1970 a small group of people from Rochester, NY, started using the frisbee not just for tossing around in the backyard but to play games of disc golf, forming leagues and hosting tournaments. In 1973, they teamed up with the City of Rochester to host the Disc Frisbee Championship featuring disc golf as the main event. By 1974 the semiannual City of Rochester Disc Golf Championship, named the American Flying Disc Open (AFDO), became a national tournament offering a brand new 1974 Datsun B210 as the Grand Prize!
At the Disc Golf World Championships in 1984 in Rochester, NY, the control of the PDGA (Professional Disc Golf Association) was handed over to its players, led by a player named Ted Smethers. A glistening green bottle of Genesee Cream Ale was used as a ceremonial bottle of champagne, celebrating the historic event!
The PDGA was even “headquartered” for many years in Toronto, Ontario, Canada by then Executive Director, Brian Hoeniger before he and his wife moved to Augusta, Georgia. In 2002 the new home of the PDGA was built there, on a 90-acre piece of land in Wildwood Park, offering three courses, a clubhouse, and a pro shop. Take that, MASTERS!
In 1983 a new disc company called Champion Discs (known today as Innova Discs) debuted a new disc called the Eagle. The Eagle, replacing the ever-popular frisbee style discs, represented a quantum leap in technology and instantly became the hot new disc that everyone was throwing. Innova was also responsible for developing a Flight Rating System to describe a disc’s intended flight, used by every modern-day manufacturer. Flight Ratings are broken down into a set of four positive or negative numbers usually printed on the front of each disc describing its speed, glide, turn and fade. The higher the number the more pronounced its behavior in flight. Based upon the first number, the disc is described as either a Putter (lowest number) to Distance Drivers (highest number) with Midrange and Fairways Drivers in between.
I caught up with a local disc golf player and coach, my good friend Ben Campbell. Ben is the Houghton University Disc Golf Coach and an expert in the sport for obvious reasons, and a great source of information. Ben kindly consented to a session of questions and answers, sharing his knowledge and secrets in playing the sport.
INDREK: Refresh me on techniques that beginners should focus on and what are some common mistakes they make?
BEN: It's a disc, not a frisbee. Modern day discs are much smaller than a frisbee and require a lot more torque. Normally this means having to throw with a lot more technique and form to generate enough power.
Beginners also get carried away with disc selection. Stick to throwing putters and possibly, midrange discs until you find that you're overpowering them; excessive wobble or a disc that wants to turn immediately toward the ground are good signs that you need to get a faster speed disc. You will find that you'll be able to throw your putter and midrange just as far - if not farther - than a fairway or distance driver at the start.
INDREK: Could you give me your definition of terms again? For example: anhyzer vs. hyzer, understable vs. overstable with corresponding numbers, and when you want to use either or? Finally, when do you want to throw a disc backhand vs. forehand?
BEN: An anhyzer (outside edge of the disc tilted upwards) allows the disc to turn more in the beginning of the flight. This normally helps increase the distance a disc will fly. A hyzer (outside edge of the disc tilted downwards) decreases the amount of turn in the beginning of the flight, causing it to hook more in one direction and normally amounts in less distance.
An understable disc is defined as a disc that has more turn in the beginning of the flight than fade at the end of the flight. A disc with the numbers 6, 5, -4, 1 will be a very understable disc. The last two numbers of the flight chart tell the user whether the disc is understable, stable, or overstable. The 3rd number will be from 0 to -4. 0 means no turn (stable), and -4 means the most amount of turn. The last number is the amount a disc fades back after the initial turn. This can be from 0 to 4. 0 meaning no fade and 4 meaning the most fade.
A backhand or forehand shot can be used interchangeably. Some holes set up better for a forehand or a backhand depending on the shape of the hole, how it begins, and finishes. In general, a disc thrown on a forehand, which spins counterclockwise, will have the opposite flight of a backhand.
INDREK: Tell me about proper throwing technique?
BEN: Proper form requires using your whole body to generate power. It starts with planting your feet, then thrusting your hips forward, then twisting the upper body, driving the elbow forward and lastly, following through with your hand.
Many beginners use a run-up to generate power in their throw, too early in their playing career. It's better to start throwing from a standstill and working more on your mechanics than adding in footwork. Once your form is proper and consistent, slowly add in the footwork, keeping it simple and compact.
INDREK: I hear the Houghton University did really well under your leadership, Houghton being an NCAA D3 school and competing against and beating many D1 schools. How did you end up?
BEN: We competed for the NCAA Nationals in South Carolina with our A team finishing 30th in D1. I was very happy with our women's performance although all players struggled with the wind. We were probably the smallest school represented no matter the division!
INDREK: Congratulations to you and your team for a fine showing. I guess we’ll see you out on the two 18-hole courses at Houghton University this summer! Will you be offering private lessons and training if someone is interested in improving their game or getting ready for a tournament?
BEN: I offer personalized lessons for each golfer, $30/hr., outdoor on Houghton’s courses and indoor as well if weather is bad. They can reach me at benjaminjcampbell94@gmail.com or by texting me at 585-689-5226.
You can also connect with Ben through the Jockey Street Discs Pro Shop located at 9673 Route 19, Houghton, NY. See you on the course!